Kitchen Design (part II)
Kitchen concepts in India have undergone a huge change in recent years and are constantly evolving. Kitchen layouts and design depend on the functionality and requirement of the user. Indian kitchens are believed to be different as some kitchens are used for larger families and hence require more counter space and storage. Also, traditional Indian cooking involves a lot of spices and oil/ghee making it important to use the right materials which do not stain. To give one example – there is a large variety of counter-top material available today like Corian and artificial quartz which come in a wide range of colours. However, Indian customers still widely prefer to use darker colours for counter tops as they help conceal stains from spices and grease. Also, a significant number of Indian families have their domestic staff using the kitchen more than the family members themselves, tilting decisions for kitchen design in a certain way.
Imported kitchen companies have been in this business for much longer and are also manufacturers of kitchen equipment like refrigerators, dish washing machines and hobs. So the customer is shown the whole package of high standards which is constantly upgraded and improvised. Imported kitchens however, have cabinets in fixed sizes and they can’t be customised to a hundred percent.The kitchen has evolved into an integral part of the house and therefore it is required to follow the same design theme as the rest of the house. A bespoke kitchen with trendy colours and a clean look lends elegance to the space. People are open to experimenting with colours and finishes for modern kitchens. Even builders are keeping this trend in mind when providing kitchens in residential buildings. Some builders have gone a step further and have collaborated with modular kitchen manufacturers to provide smart kitchen solutions in building projects.
Hacker and Nolte are currently very popular in the market for modular kitchens. Another company which has stirred up the market is SEA kitchens. Surprisingly all three are German brands and they have also started venturing into the manufacture of modular wardrobes and other accessories.Modular kitchens are tailored to suit the customer’s requirements and therefore careful planning and designing is required on the part of the interior designer. While Indian kitchen companies can provide full customisation, certain international brands have limitations in terms of size modules.
Indian kitchen manufacturers are dedicated in delivering innovative products which suit Indian lifestyle. Moreover, these products are offered in a wide range of hardware and finish options to fit into the customer’s budget. Kitchens are customisable to a very large degree and Indian manufacturers are at par with international brands as far as quality and aesthetics are concerned.
The one most important thing that affects the design of a kitchen is the customisability aspect. With a wide range of apartment sizes in India, kitchen sizes also vary and it becomes imperative for the designer to ensure that every single inch is put to good use. Cabinet and storage sizes have to suit the kitchen layout and should be tailored according to the area available. [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]
